Guinea-Bissau: A national pact to rebuild the justice system and support the transition
The judicial landscape of Guinea-Bissau may be on the brink of profound transformation. The President of the Bar Association, Januário Pedro Correia, has announced the imminent convening of a national congress aimed at adopting a National Justice Pact.
This ambitious initiative, carried out in partnership with the legitimate organs of national sovereignty, is presented as an urgent response to the systemic crisis that has undermined the judicial institution for years.
It comes at a time of political transition, offering a historic opportunity to reconcile the country with the rule of law.
The need for an overhaul is widely justified. The judicial system has often been described as weakened, diverted from its purpose, and plagued by paralyzing delays, unequal access, and widespread public distrust.
The Bar Association itself highlights the necessity of restoring constitutional normalcy; an imperative that goes beyond mere administrative reorganization to touch the very stability of the state.
In this context, the future Pact is intended as a solemn and joint commitment of the bar, courts, judges, and government, designed to guarantee an independent, transparent, and accessible justice system for all.
The potential improvements for the country’s judicial life are manifold. First, this pact could establish clearer and more balanced governance of the system by defining strict ethical rules and accountability mechanisms for judicial actors.
By strengthening the independence of the judiciary from political and economic pressures, it would restore the credibility of rulings and public trust in the courts.
Second, it aims to make justice more efficient and closer to citizens. This involves modernizing procedures, digitizing services, fighting endemic corruption, and providing ongoing training for legal professionals. Easier access to fair and timely justice is fundamental to regulating social conflicts, protecting individual rights, and creating a secure environment for investment.
Finally; and crucially in the current context this judicial reform is the indispensable corollary to the ongoing political transition.
A successful transition cannot be limited to institutional adjustments or a change of personnel; it must be anchored in the rebuilding of the pillars of the state.
A strong and upright judiciary is the guarantor of political agreements, the protector of individual freedoms, and the impartial arbiter essential for consolidating social peace.
It provides a secure legal framework for organizing credible elections and legitimizing future institutions.
Claude KOUNTE
